From:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6309539.stm


Thai airport hit by runway cracks

Suvarnabhumi airport has been dogged by controversy
Thailand's transport ministry is to recommend some domestic flights be transferred from Bangkok's new airport to the decommissioned old one.
The move is necessary to allow the authorities to repair a series of cracks in the runways.

Suvarnabhumi Airport, designed to showcase Thailand as a regional hub, opened in September to huge publicity.

But the building has been dogged by problems, from allegations of corruption to claims of a ghost.

After a meeting with airport officials, Transport Minister Thira Haocharoen said he would seek Cabinet approval to reopen the old international airport at Don Muang on a temporary basis.

"The decision to move back to Don Muang was based on a series of problems that have plagued Suvarnabhumi, from cracks on the taxiways to out-of-order aerobridges," Mr Thira said.

The reopening is expected to take place within two months' time, he added.

Airlines would move on a voluntary basis and only flights which had no international connections would be asked to make the switch.

But correspondents say the move will still complicate travel for many international visitors, who travel to Bangkok and then transfer to different airlines for flights to Thailand's famed beach resorts.

Corruption claims

The Thai authorities hoped that Suvaranabhumi, which means Golden Land, would rival the airports in Hong Kong and Singapore and cement Thailand's reputation as a regional hub.


Suvarnabhumi boasts the largest passenger terminal in the world

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in September, made the project one of the main priorities of his administration, and the $4bn glass and steel airport should theoretically be able to handle 45 million passengers a year.

But since development started more than 40 years ago, the project has been mired by a series of problems.

Politicians from Mr Thaksin's administration were accused of buying up land in advance of construction, to sell on again at huge profits, and the purchase of the airport's high-tech X-Ray scanners was also tainted by allegations of corruption.

The project also suffered many delays and accidents, including a fire that swept through a catering hall, killing a member of staff.

Even supernatural forces seem to have been against Suvarnabhumi, and dozens of people reported seeing ghosts during the construction process.

Under the ancien regime, the Bangkok Post dared to report last year that the runway had cracks in it. The response from Thaksin's cronies was rapid and severe, and the Post editor (?) was forced to resign to avoid the paper being sued and closed down.

What a country. From corrupt incompetents to arguably less corrupt but no less incompetent dictators.

Ian

Some more :

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/01/27/thailand.airport.ap/

Surely this would affect international carriers because of insurance/safety requirements etc.

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What a country. From corrupt incompetents to arguably less corrupt but no less incompetent dictators.

Gets more like the uk everyday Maybe they would like to rent our Tony and his cronies after the next election.
ash

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Originally posted by ash:

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What a country. From corrupt incompetents to arguably less corrupt but no less incompetent dictators.

Gets more like the uk everyday Maybe they would like to rent our Tony and his cronies after the next election.
ash

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Originally posted by Neil & Mook:
From:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6309539.stm

Even supernatural forces seem to have been against Suvarnabhumi, and dozens of people reported seeing ghosts during the construction process.

That was Taky covered with a bed sheet, sneaking out suitcases full of cash

In an effort to lay the blame on anybody but themselves, it has been allegedly reported by a Thai official that the planes have been landing 'too heavily'..... god knows what would happen if you tried to set an A380 down, probably get the swamp back.

I wonder if these are the very same cracks that they had to repair 1 week before its original opening? Must be using the same contractors that are doing the runway at bristol airport!!

It just cracks me up.......

Having chatted to some pilots who actualy land at BKK, it becomes clearer that there is obviously a lot of political motive behind the bad reports of the airport.

Repairs and tarmac cracking are regular features of many airports in the region, including Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpar. Runways and taxiways are regularly closed for maintenance.

As well as that there are always teething problems with new airports. While I have no doubt there are problems you have to wonder whether they are really newsworthy.

I have landed there (as a pilot) a number of times already. Things are not that bad at the moment. I am sure there is a lot of politics going on.

However perhaps more worrying is the poor English of the Air Traffic Controllers and the very poor guidence and vectoring. Apart from that, when the floods hit BKK again, I hope that the drainage is adequate. With the airport only 5ft above sea level it could flood like the rest of BKK. Even taxing around the airport it is obvious that the water table is only just below the surface.

It's also significant that the majority of large international airlines have said they would refuse to fly into Thailand if it was changed back to Don Muang.

Fly Boy,

during my previous trip, I flew out and landed at Suv a couple of times. I noticed quite a lot of water foul swimming around the reservoirs next to the Taxiways.

Is it healthy for birds to be near runways?

Packpao

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Is it healthy for birds to be near runways?

No, if I was a bird I'd be really concerned aout this

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Is it healthy for birds to be near runways?

Most airports have some sort of bird scaring equipment. All engines are tested for bird strikes. At RR we used to fire chickens into them.

Maybe better than landing in the middle of a golf course (DM)
colin 244

packpao

It's certainly not ideal but lots of airports around the world seem to be near large expanses of water which in turn attract birds. Heathrow has several very large reservoirs nearby. At these airports they will usually warn us about these hazards.

Birds can easily take out an engine, and have been known to smash aircraft front screens as well. It's when you fly through a flock and they take out both engines on the same side (assuming you hve 4 engines) you have to worry. Bird scaring equipment doesn't solve the problem totally.

I once had a snake go through one of my engines, but that's a very long story!!

Fortunately the golf course between the runways at DM was further away than it looked and even one of my slices might not have hit an aircraft!

Fly Boy,

The golf people looked close as we taxied into the terminal at DM when we went over the what looked like a "level crossing" but maybe its different up front

Anyway what airline are you on (just out of interest)
Regards
colin 244

I'm almost scared to say due to the abuse we get (some deserved, but not all) in the press and occasionally on this forum. But I am based at LHR and it's on 747's and we fly direct to BKK. I think that should narrow it down!! Off to BKK tomorrow night. Will try to sneak the nagger on as well!!

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Originally posted by Fly Boy:
... Will try to sneak the nagger on as well!!

First Class I trust

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I'm almost scared to say due to the abuse we get (some deserved, but not all) in the press and occasionally on this forum. But I am based at LHR and it's on 747's and we fly direct to BKK. I think that should narrow it down!!

Hummm, BA then.

Yes BA,

Tobias

Sometimes lucky in First, just depends on the bookings but it's usually full. She has also had to slum it a few times on a cabin crew jump seat. No fun for 12 hours coming home. Fortunately she's very humble and uncomplaining (except at me!!). Being about 5ft tall she feels that First is too good for her!!

Flyboy,

Safe trip and I hope the nagger gets a good seat
Regards
colin 244

Thanks for the reply FlyBoy. Interesting view from the front two seats.

Do you sit in the left or right seat?

Have a safe flight.

Cheers,
Packpao

Incidentally,Fly Boy,do you ever mention to the cabin crew to look out for T-UK badges?
I once got moved to superior cattle class outward to BKK,which was a surprise.

I can see it now, TUK badges becoming hot property, selling for hundreds on the black market, better get a stock in now!

(Although it's never worked for me. )

Hi all, thanks for the good wishes. I have been away for a long time so I wasn't aware of the TUK badges but the cabin crew and flight crew have very limited authority on upgarding unless you are a very close friend or relative and the CC or FC member puts a word in. It would only be of benefit if there were empty seats further forward.

The check-in staff can put a note on the computer which says SFU (suitable for upgrade). To get this annotation I guess you have to be dressed very smartly and be very polite to him/her and perhaps suggest if it might be possible.

The despatcher also has a little influence.

As a compromise, when travelling on certain other airlines, I always try and find out the seat config and therefore where the escape exits or bulkheads are. More legroom.

I am right hand seat. For those who don't know what that means, it means that I am the No. 2 (Senior First Officer). I can explain more another time, but got to rush now!

Bye